A public affairs analyst, Oghenetega Edafe, has criticised the recent partnership between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Chinese firms to revive the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Edafe described the move as a continuation of what he called wasteful spending, noting that billions of dollars had already been invested in refinery rehabilitation over the years with little to show.

The deal, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, had earlier raised expectations among petroleum marketers and retailers, who suggested it could lead to a reduction in fuel prices if successfully implemented.

However, Edafe argued that the latest agreement raises concerns about fiscal discipline, policy consistency, and accountability for previous investments.

“What Nigerians are witnessing is a troubling pattern of policy repetition without reflection,” he said, adding that there has been no transparent accounting of past expenditures or explanations for their failure.

He further questioned the rationale behind committing fresh resources without a clear audit of earlier interventions, which he said had already cost the country over $1 billion.

“It is unacceptable that after committing over one billion dollars to refinery rehabilitation, the nation is being asked to embrace yet another agreement without a clear and verifiable audit,” Edafe stated.

According to him, the situation goes beyond policy shortcomings and risks undermining public confidence in the management of national resources.